Article content
If you thought that baking soda is useful only in the kitchen, you are very much mistaken. In the garden it is almost irreplaceable and for a few cents you get perfect nutrition and protection against aphids, caterpillars, or root fungi.
It helps tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers and zucchini.
Many gardeners still use chemical fertilizers or chemical protective sprays against pests in the garden, which subsequently have a negative impact on the quality of the produce. Ordinary baking soda, however, which is cheap and safe, serves as a great fertilizer for your plants and at the same time performs an excellent protective function.
Benefits of using baking soda:
- protects plants from microbes and fungi
- helps extend the fruiting period
- improves the taste of the produce
- helps fight pests and diseases
As you can see, using baking soda in the garden has many advantages without negative side effects.
However, for the soda to be a useful aid, the correct procedure must be followed. You also need to take into account the amount and the intervals of use. Otherwise the result could be the opposite and you could harm the plants.
Follow these rules:
- mix the solution very well until it is smooth
- spray the plants using a sprayer with very small nozzles
- carry out spraying in the evening so that the sun’s rays do not dry the leaf moisture and cause burns
- don’t overdo it with baking soda spray either and the minimum interval between treatments should be at least 3 days.
- fertilizer
You will need:
- 10 l of hot water
- 2 tbsp baking soda (1 tbsp = 25 g)
Procedure:
- Add the baking soda to the water and stir well until it is completely and evenly dissolved. Let it cool to room temperature.
- Water the crops at the root – about 500 ml per plant.
- For better effectiveness, water the soil first with plain water.
This solution used during the flowering period stimulates fruiting and if the soil is excessively wet, the fertilizer will help you avoid root rot. This mixture is also recommended for gardeners who grow their produce on acidic soil because the bicarbonate neutralizes acidity. It is excellent for tomatoes or cucumbers.
Recipes against diseases and pests
Against mildew
Mildew affects many crops and thanks to baking soda you can successfully fight this problem.
You will need:
- 50 g baking soda (2 tbsp)
- 40 g laundry soap
- hot water
- 10 l of water
Procedure:
- Grate the soap on a grater and completely dissolve it in hot water.
- Then dilute the solution with 10 liters of water, add the baking soda and stir.
- Pour the solution into a sprayer and spray the leaves, especially in the parts most affected by mildew.
- If the plants are not in serious condition, one spray is usually sufficient.
- If that is not enough, repeat it at 3-day intervals until the mildew disappears.
Against aphids
This small insect is a gardener’s nightmare. They colonize the underside of leaves and suck the sap out of them, which results in the plant drying out and dying. If you want to get rid of them, try this solution.
You will need:
- 2 tbsp baking soda
- 40 g laundry soap
- 1 l of hot water
- 2 tbsp wood ash
- 10 l of water
Procedure:
- In a bowl with 1 l of warm water add the ash and let it steep with regular stirring.
- Add the baking soda, soap and dilute with 10 liters of water.
- Mix and spray onto the leaves.
Baking soda is truly a great helper in the garden!
